Uttarakhand's Haldwani on Thursday was massively hit by violence and law & order went for a toss after the state government launched a demolition drive of an illegal madrasa and an adjoining mosque. Haldwani Violence became the talk of the town on social media after multiple Police officials were seen brutally injured and the city's DM stated that the Haldwani Riots were pre-planned by a certain section of people. Till now, Haldwani Riots have claimed at least 4 lives and at least 250 people have been injured in the city. Now, the question arises as to why Haldwani is hit by violence. Below is what we know about Haldwani Riots-
Shoot-at-sight order given in Haldwani Violence
Four people died and 250 were injured in widespread violence over the demolition of an illegal madrasa and an adjoining mosque in Uttarakhand's Haldwani on Thursday. Haldwani has been placed under curfew, with shoot-at-sight orders issued against rioters and internet services completely shut down. Not only this, schools in the area have also been shut down by the Government.
Now, those wondering how the demolition drive turned violent in Uttarakhand, it took place when a team of government officials, accompanied by policemen, attempted to raze the structures following a court order. The madrasa and mosque had been declared illegal by the administration, leading to their demolition. However, this move was met with fierce resistance from residents in the Vanbhulpura area of Haldwani.
Haldwani Police stated that the demolitions carried out with heavy police and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) presence, aimed to clear government land allegedly encroached upon by the madrasa and the mosque. The demolitions complied with a court order. However, locals present there protested against it. Despite the protest, the bulldozer crushed the structures and this enraged locals. Thereafter, local residents including women, took to the streets in protest. The protest turned violent when they broke barricades and clashed with the police. Thereafter, mobs reportedly hurled stones at Police, municipal workers, and journalists, resulting in injuries and damage to property. More than 20 motorcycles and a security bus were set ablaze.
DM Nainital, Vandana Singh during a press conference on Friday, explained Haldwani violence. She said, "The demolition drive started peacefully, the force was deployed for prevention...Stones were pelted on our Municipal Corporation's team...It was planned that the day the demolition drive will be conducted the forces would be attacked...The first mob with stones were dispersed & the second mob that came in had petrol bombs. This was unprovoked and our team did not use any force.."
"Later, the police station was surrounded by the mob and those inside the police station were not allowed to come out. They were first pelted with stones & then attacked by petrol bombs. The vehicles outside the station were set on fire & due to the smoke, there was suffocation due to the smoke...Tear gas and water cannons were used only to safeguard the police station."
Talking about bulldozer drive, Singh said, "After the HC's order action has been taken against encroachment at various places in Haldwani...Everyone was given notice and time for hearing...Some did approach the HC some were given time while some were not given time. Where time was not given demolition drive was conducted by PWD & Municipal Corporation. This was not an isolated activity and was not targeted to a particular asset."
"We decided to continue the demolition drive because there was no stay on the assets...A legal process to remove the encroachment is being carried out at various places and so it was done here too...Our teams and resources moved and nobody was provoked or harmed...No actions were taken (by Police and administration) to cause harm to life and property...The demolition drive began peacefully...Despite the entire process being carried out properly, a large mob, within half an hour attacked our municipal cooperation team," added Singh.